Sphere Studios in London Relies on AEA A440 Ribbon Mics for Recent Projects

Irish alternative rock band The Script recorded their recently released third album, #3, with engineer Dan Frampton at Sphere Studios in London, making use of the studios’ extensive microphone locker including a pair of AEA A440 flagship ribbon mics. According to Frampton, the A440s were used as drum room microphones and to record drum loops.

A behind-the-scenes video on YouTube,"The Script—#3 Track by Track", with band interviews and session footage, gives insight into the recording process and shows the AEA ribbon microphones in use. The Sphere Studios complex in central London, UK, comprises three main studios and seven writing rooms.

In addition to hosting sessions for high-profile artists such as Simple Minds, New Model Army, Gavin Bryars, and Mick Hucknall, Sphere Studios also welcomed the team scoring the soundtrack to the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall.

Sphere Studios chief engineer Francesco Cameli says, “No matter what I’m recording at Sphere, whether it’s strings, drums, guitars, upright bass or brass, I always get my pair of AEA A440s out. They are wonderfully versatile and clean, with bags of character and depth. If I want a classic ribbon sound, they give it to me, but if want a sound with a little more top end, they deliver it beautifully and cleanly especially when paired with the AEA RPQ preamp. I could never again imagine not having them at my disposal. Most of all though, I love the look on my client’s faces when the A440s take their breath away.”